Lady Marmalade
Labelle [feat. Patti LaBelle] Lyrics


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Hey sister, go sister, soul sister, go sister
Hey sister, go sister, soul sister, go sister

He met marmalade down in old new orleans
Struttin' her stuff on the street
She said "hello
Hey joe, you wanna give it a go?" mmm, mmm
Itchi gitchi ya ya da da
Itchi gitchi ya ya here
Mocha-choca-lata ya ya
Creole lady marmalade

Voulez-vous coucher avec moi ce soir?
Voulez-vous coucher avec moi?

He sat in her boudoir while she freshened up
The boy drank all her magnolia-wine
On the black satin sheets oh I swear he started to freak

Itchi gitchi ya ya da da
Itchi gitchi ya ya here
Mocha-choca-lata ya ya
Creole lady marmalade

Voulez-vous coucher avec moi ce soir?
Voulez-vous coucher avec moi?

Hey, hey, hey
Touching her skin feelin' silky smooth
The colour of cafe au lait
Made the savage beast inside
Roar until it cried, more, more, more

Now he's back home doing nine to five
Living his grey flannel life
But when he turns off to sleep
Old memories creep, more, more, more

Itchi gitchi ya ya da da da
Itchi gitchi ya ya here
Mocha-choco-lata ya ya
Creole lady marmalade

Voulez-vous coucher avec moi ce soir?
Voulez-vous coucher avec moi?
Voulez-vous couchez avec moi ce soir?
Creole lady marmalade

Voulez-vous coucher avec moi ce soir?
Voulez-vous coucher avec moi?
Voulez-vous couchez avec moi ce soir?
Voulez-vous coucher avec moi?
Voulez-vous couchez avec moi ce soir?
Voulez-vous coucher avec moi?
Voulez-vous couchez avec moi ce soir?
Voulez-vous coucher avec moi?

Itchi gitchi ya ya da da
Itchi gitchi ya ya here




Mocha-choco-lata ya ya
Itchi gitchi ya ya here

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Lady Marmalade" by Labelle featuring Patti LaBelle tell the story of a seductive and confident woman who goes by the name of Marmalade. In the song, she is described as a soulful and charismatic woman from New Orleans. The repeated phrases "Hey sister, go sister, soul sister, go sister" represent a cheer or encouragement to Marmalade, praising her lively and soulful nature.


The chorus begins with Marmalade introducing herself to a man named Joe, inviting him to join her in a romantic encounter. The lines "Itchi gitchi ya ya da da" and "Mocha-choca-lata ya ya" serve as playful and seductive expressions, emphasizing the alluring and exotic charm of Marmalade's persona. "Creole lady marmalade" highlights her cultural background, with Creole referring to a mixed African and European heritage commonly associated with New Orleans.


The next verse describes Joe visiting Marmalade's boudoir, while she freshens up. It implies that they engage in intimate activities, alluding to the sensual atmosphere with mentions of magnolia wine and black satin sheets. The line "I swear he started to freak" suggests that Joe becomes overwhelmed with pleasure and excitement due to Marmalade's captivating allure.


The second chorus reiterates the seductive invitation from the first chorus, with Marmalade asking, "Voulez-vous coucher avec moi ce soir?" This is a French phrase that translates to "Do you want to sleep with me tonight?" The lyrics then shift to describe Joe's return to his ordinary life, portrayed as a nine-to-five routine. However, his memories of the passionate encounter with Marmalade continue to haunt him, leaving him desiring more.


The song concludes with a repetition of the chorus and the seductive invitation, as Marmalade's enchanting presence continues to linger in Joe's thoughts. The use of repetitive phrases throughout the song, such as "Itchi gitchi ya ya da da" and "mocha-choco-lata ya ya," adds a catchy and memorable aspect to the lyrics, enhancing the sensual and exciting atmosphere created by Marmalade's character.


Line by Line Meaning

Hey sister, go sister, soul sister, go sister
Encouragement to a female friend to embrace her inner strength and confidence


He met marmalade down in old new orleans
He encountered a captivating and vibrant woman in the lively city of New Orleans


Struttin' her stuff on the street
Confidently displaying her unique qualities and talents in public


She said "hello
She greeted him warmly and approached with friendliness


Hey joe, you wanna give it a go?" mmm, mmm
She playfully invited him to join her in an exciting and passionate adventure


Itchi gitchi ya ya da da
Expression of sensual excitement and pleasure


Itchi gitchi ya ya here
Reiteration of the sensual excitement and pleasure


Mocha-choca-lata ya ya
Describing her alluring and exotic nature, combining the flavors of mocha, chocolate, and lata (a hypothetical term)


Creole lady marmalade
Highlighting her ethnicity and identity as a seductive and captivating woman


Voulez-vous coucher avec moi ce soir?
Asking if the person wants to sleep with her tonight, using seductive French language


He sat in her boudoir while she freshened up
He waited in her private and intimate space while she took care of herself


The boy drank all her magnolia-wine
He indulged in her pleasures and consumed all that she had to offer, metaphorically represented by magnolia-wine


On the black satin sheets oh I swear he started to freak
Their intimate encounter on luxurious black satin sheets caused him to experience intense excitement and pleasure


Touching her skin feelin' silky smooth
Exploring her body and savoring the soft, velvety texture of her skin


The colour of cafe au lait
Describing the beautiful shade of her skin, resembling the color of cafe au lait (coffee with milk)


Made the savage beast inside
Her allure and sensuality triggered his primal instincts and desires


Roar until it cried, more, more, more
The intense passion and desire compelled him to beg for more


Now he's back home doing nine to five
He has returned to his mundane and routine life, working a regular job


Living his grey flannel life
Leading a dull and unexciting existence, characterized by conformity and monotony


But when he turns off to sleep
However, when he goes to sleep and his mind relaxes


Old memories creep, more, more, more
Memories of his passionate encounter resurface, triggering a longing for more excitement and intensity


Voulez-vous couchez avec moi ce soir?
Reiteration of the earlier invitation, asking again if the person wants to sleep with her tonight


Itchi gitchi ya ya da da da
Continued expression of sensual excitement and pleasure


Voulez-vous coucher avec moi?
Final reiteration of the invitation, asking if the person wants to sleep with her


Voulez-vous couchez avec moi ce soir?
Final reiteration of the invitation, asking again if the person wants to sleep with her tonight


Voulez-vous coucher avec moi?
Final reiteration of the invitation, asking if the person wants to sleep with her




Lyrics Β© Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Kenny Nolan, Robert Crewe

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@ForgottenWolf16

Lyrics:

Hey sister, go sister, soul sister, go sister
Hey sister, go sister, soul sister, go sister

He met Marmalade down in old New Orleans
Struttin' her stuff on the street
She said, "Hello, hey Joe, you wanna give it a go?" (mmm-mmm)

Gitchi gitchi ya-ya da-da
Gitchi gitchi ya-ya here
Mocca chocolata ya-ya
Creole Lady Marmalade

Voulez-vous coucher avec moi, ce soir?
Voulez-vous coucher avec moi?

He savored her cool all while she freshed up
That boy drank all that magnolia wine
On the black satin sheets where he started to freak

Gitchi gitchi ya-ya da-da
Gitchi gitchi ya-ya here
Mocca chocalata ya-ya
Creole Lady Marmalade

Voulez-vous coucher avec moi, ce soir?
Voulez-vous coucher avec moi?

Seeing her skin feeling silky smooth
Color of cafe au lait, made the savage beast inside
Roaring 'til it cried, "More, more, more"

Now he's at home doing nine to five
Living his brave life of lies
But when he turns off to sleep
All memories keep more, more, more

Gitchi gitchi ya-ya da-da-da
Gitchi gitchi ya-ya here
Mocca chocolata ya-ya
Creole Lady Marmalade

Voulez-vous coucher avec moi, ce soir?
Voulez-vous coucher avec moi?
Voulez-vous couchez avec moi, ce soir?
Creole Lady Marmalade

Voulez-vous coucher avec moi, ce soir?
Voulez-vous coucher avec moi?
Voulez-vous coucher avec moi, ce soir?
Voulez-vous coucher avec moi?

Voulez-vous coucher avec moi, ce soir?
Voulez-vous coucher avec moi?
Voulez-vous coucher avec moi, ce soir?
Voulez-vous coucher avec moi?

Gitchi gitchi ya-ya da-da
Gitchi gitchi ya-ya here
Mocca chocolata ya-ya
Gitchi gitchi ya-ya here (ya-da-da)



All comments from YouTube:

@zombie12392

Never knew what they were saying in French when I was a little kid, but I KNEW THAT I LOVED THE WAY MY BODY AND BRAIN REACTED!!!!!!

@Ebony13

I had no business singing Lady Marmalade when I was 4.

@JimWellman

Patti's got soul, but her peach cobbler rocks.

@tenderpawsm473

Peach cobbler sounds great, but what does it have to do with this song?

@JimWellman

@@tenderpawsm473 Patti Labelle has a dessert brand (her name) that makes delicious porch cobbler. They sell it at Walmart.

@mphmph2351

Love love her sweet potato pie!!!!
Sadly, the boxes disclose now that there are GENETICALLY MODIFIED INGREDIENTS...yikes! Why??!! GMOs...no bueno!

@mphmph2351

Omg!! It is BIOENGINEERED ingredients! 😒

@HavinFUN51

Yes!!

4 More Replies...

@aconater

The fact that the covered version has more views is absolutely ridiculous and stupid, the album cover alone is iconic!!

@solomanhilton8405

Rest In Peace Ms. Silver Throat, One of Our Beloved Nightbirds, Ms. Sarah Dash πŸ€πŸ•ŠπŸ™πŸΎ

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